The observation tower Brighton i360 offers a whole new perspective on Brighton and the south coast of England. In a futuristic glass viewing pod, you’ll glide gently up to 450 feet (138 meters) above ground for 360-degree views across the city, the South Downs and—on the clearest days—all the way to the Isle of Wight.
Located on the River Medway in Kent, the town of Rochester is located just a quick commute from London. Celebrated for the 12th-century Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral (whose history dates to the year 604, Rochester was also frequented by writer Charles Dickens, and various festivals and events are held in his honor.
Located just a quick trip from Oxford, Cogges is one of the prettiest corners of the Cotswolds (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A Scheduled Ancient Monument, Cogges has over 1,000 years of history. Today, the area is a popular tourist attraction, thanks in part to its Grade II listed Cogges Manor Farm.
The hip Glasgow West End is where classic and contemporary Scotland collide. Cobbled streets lined with grand Victorian architecture lead to coffee shops, boutique stores, art galleries, leafy parks, and restaurants. Ashton Lane is the area's heart, while Finnieston, Kelvinbridge, and Partick are among the UK’s coolest neighborhoods.
Lambeth Palace has been the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury since the 13th century, and is today considered a symbol of medieval London and Anglican heritage. Only open for select open days each year, behind its imposing Tudor-style gatehouse, visitors can explore the Gothic chapel and crypt, stroll around the gardens, and visit the library, where you’ll find Britain’s largest collection of religious books and manuscripts.
One of the oldest and most celebrated distilleries in Scotland’s Speyside region, Cardhu Distillery was founded in 1824, and is now owned by Diageo. Renowned for its single-malt whiskies (and famously used in Johnnie Walker blends), Cardhu is also a regional base for the Johnnie Walker brand, and features a well-equipped visitor center and bar.
London’s Imperial War Museum (IWM) offers an all-encompassing introduction to Britain’s war history. It’s home to an overhead military aircraft, army tanks flanking the central exhibition hall, and a recreated World War I bunker to crawl through. Exhibits spotlight not only military equipment and strategy but also the wartime experiences of soldiers and civilians. This museum is an essential stop for military buffs interested in British war history.
Stamford Bridge is an iconic football (soccer) stadium in West London’s Fulham that’s been the official home of Chelsea Football Club since 1905. A visit here offers football fans the chance to experience the electric atmosphere of Premier League matches. The stadium is also home to the Chelsea FC Museum, where you can learn more about the club’s history, and behind-the-scenes tours are available.
Flanked by grassy peaks, this scenic glacier-sculpted valley includes three lakes: Loweswater, Buttermere, and Crummock Water. With easily scalable fells such as Haystacks, pretty lakeside footpaths, and natural wonders including Scale Force Waterfall—the highest waterfall in the Lake District—Buttermere is prime turf for walkers.
One of the largest prehistoric structures of its kind in Europe, the purpose of Silbury Hill—a man-made chalk mound which is comparable to the size of a small Egyptian pyramid—remains a mystery. Marvel over the 100-foot-high (30-meter-high) grassy slopes of Silbury Hill from a distance before continuing your exploration of Avebury.
Aided by spooky special effects and eerie sets, the costumed actors at York Dungeon recount terrifying tales of torture, terror, and murder. Expect laughs, scares, and shrieks as you learn about Viking invasions, witch hunts, and lawbreakers from centuries past.
The childhood home of Henry VIII’s ill-fated second wife, Anne Boleyn, this restored 13th-century castle is now open to the visiting public. Discover grand paneled rooms, Tudor portraits, tapestries, and antiques, and wander the grounds, which encompass formal gardens, two outdoor mazes, and a boating lake.
While there are only ruins left of Dunseverick Castle, what remains offers a striking sight, perched on an outcrop overlooking the Causeway coastline. This historic landmark in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, is a popular stop for those exploring the area’s dramatic landscape, with many combining a visit with a stop at the nearby Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the corner of Trafalgar Square, amid a constant hubbub of pigeons and people, is the Anglican church St. Martin-in-the-Fields. This church features baroque and neoclassical architecture and a polished interior, thanks to a massive restoration completed in 2008. It’s a royal parish church, but most know it for its classical music concerts and its work with homeless people and those needing refuge, leading it to be dubbed “Church of the Ever Open Door.”
See Scotland’s famous faces rendered in paint, pencil, marble, bronze, and on film, in this vast Venetian Gothic-style building. Famous Scots and well-known figures from throughout history, from Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charles to Tilda Swinton and Sean Connery, are all immortalized here in various forms.
In the midst of the Wiltshire plains, this 29-acre (12-hectare Iron Age settlement stands as a testament to England’s long history of invasion, defense, and development. Explore the foundations of Salisbury’s first cathedral, soak up views from the hilltop castle, and learn about the Roman, Norman, and Saxon influence on the English culture and countryside.
Designed by Rod Sheard for the 1999 Rugby World Cup Final, the former-Millennium, now-Principality Stadium in Cardiff is one of the UK’s premium sporting arenas and live music venues. From its picturesque waterside position in the heart of Cardiff’s city center, the Millennium Stadium—which has also hosted the Rolling Stones—is now home to both the Welsh National Rugby and Football teams.
Using projections and special effects, this immersive exhibition focuses on the ecology of Loch Ness and the mysterious monster that supposedly swims its waters. Curious visitors find out about the lake habitat and the likelihood of a monster surviving here, as well as learning about previous monster hunts, research missions, and hoaxes.
This well-preserved 17th-century street now lies hidden beneath the Edinburgh City Chambers on the Royal Mile. It takes its name from Mary King, a merchant and mother who lived on the close (alleyway) and was considered a woman of high social standing with rare voting rights. Her former street is a unique spot, as it’s the only Edinburgh close that’s now underground. It’s also shrouded in mystery, with many reports of paranormal activity over the years.
Set amid the rolling glens of Scotland’s premier whisky region—Speyside, in Cairngorms National Park—the Glenlivet Distillery is known for producing the granddaddy of all single malts. Distilled in unique lantern-shaped copper stills and matured in oak casks for at least 12 years, The Glenlivet has a fruity, smooth flavor thanks to using Scottish barley and spring water from the local Josie's Well.
One of Central London’s major thoroughfares, bustling Baker Street is best known for its association with the one and only Sherlock Holmes. According to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved books, the fictional detective resided at number 221B—a fictional address to match. Today, the Sherlock Holmes Museum commemorates the area’s literary legacy and draws crowds throughout the year.
Step back in time with York Castle Museum, an informative, interactive destination that will charm history-buffs and families alike. Unique in its depictions of everyday life, both past and present, York Castle Museum is best-known for period reconstructions of historic streets—like the Victorian Kirkgate—and costumed actors who help bring the past to life.
Located on the shores of Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan Monument—constructed in 1815 and completed in the 1830s—is a tribute to all who fought for and lost their lives during the 1745 Jacobite Rising. The 59-foot (18-meter)-high column is crowned by the figure of a kilt-wearing Highlander, and visitors can ascend to the top for remarkable views.
Devoted to the brands and designs that have shaped British culture for over 200 years, the Museum of Brands has a prime position on Notting Hill’s Lancaster Road. Its collection takes visitors on a nostalgic journey through everyday items—including vintage toys, sweets, cereal boxes, and famous advertisements. It’s a treasure trove for those seeking a trip down memory lane, while also being a place to understand how branding has evolved over time.
A tiny island just off the coast of the Isle of Arran, the Holy Isle (Eilean Molaise) has long been seen as a spiritual destination. The former residence of the 6th-century St. Malaise, and known for its Viking history and runes, the island is today home to the Centre for World Peace and Health, a Buddhist retreat and meditation center.
The Tate Britain is an art gallery in Pimlico, London. It contains the largest collection of British art in the world and is one of four Tate museums across the United Kingdom. Visitors come to see priceless works by painters from the last 500 years, including J.M.W. Turner, Lucian Freud, and David Hockney.
The home ground of one of England’s most renowned football (soccer) teams, Emirates Stadium is a must-visit for sports fans and followers of Arsenal FC. With a capacity of more than 60,000, the football stadium is the country’s third-largest. Its size and fandom create an electric atmosphere for watching soccer games. It’s also home to a museum that traces the history of the team affectionately known to fans as the "Gunners."
Set within an imposing neoclassical building, this museum presents an impressive collection of artwork spanning the Renaissance to the 20th century. Works by European masters, such as Titian, Monet, Rembrandt, and van Gogh, are complemented by a collection of Scottish works that includes pieces from Allan Ramsay and Sir Henry Raeburn.
Scotland’s Isle of Islay is a land of dramatic coastal scenery, vibrant bid life, and fine seafood, but it’s Islay’s distinctive smoky whiskies that really draws the visitors. Home to nearly a dozen working distilleries, including Lagavulin and Bowmore, Islay’s distinctive single malt makes it a bucket list destination for whisky lovers from across the world.
Big and bold, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the modern 2019 replacement for the team’s original White Hart Lane Stadium. It’s one of London’s largest soccer stadiums, hosting not only soccer games and concerts, but also American football thanks to its slick retractable pitch. Now, the site is known as the NFL’s home in the UK, as well as the home of Tottenham Hotspur (aka Spurs).
